If you spied groups of excited people clad in red and blue yesterday, your eyes did not mistake you – Bargain Hunt has come to Cambridge.

Keen viewers and collectors came from far and wide to take part in the filming of the iconic BBC programme, hosted by fine art auction company Cheffins.

Charles Ashton, a director at Cheffins and auctioneer for this series, described the feeling of “great excitement” after the company was approached to host a series of the programme.

He said: “It’s very interesting for us as we haven’t done the show for a while – the last time was a few years ago.

“I’ve had my chat on camera – it was a new experience for me but not as daunting as I was thinking!

Mr Ashton explained they expected around 100 people to come and go during the auction process and added: “Being a very historic city, there used to be a great number of antique shops in Cambridge but over the years they have reduced in number.

“There’s still a good interest out there but of course what happens now is more buyers and collectors bid from home on their computers over the internet.”

One of the more unique lots enthusiasts were treated to was a collection of thin, printed souvenir tissues, including two which commemorated suffragette meetings.

Printed with details of some of their gatherings, Mr Ashton said he expected the lot, which also contained royal and political tissues, to fetch several hundred pounds at auction.

Lucky father and son duo Walter and Keir Blacker, from Harwich, were two of the chosen contestants and got the chance to don some of the programme’s iconic blue jackets.